Torn from the Front Page: Statewide solution to dangerous dog breeds would be best

As Saginaw residents continue to debate their new ordinance, dangerous dogs have been in the news in other communities, making it clear that even though Saginaw should proceed, a statewide solution to this ongoing problem is necessary.

Last week in Filion, a pit bull mix attacked a 12-year-old boy as he rode his bike. The dog was tethered in his owner’s yard at the time, but broke free.

The boy required numerous stitches to close his wounds and was nearly struck by a vehicle as he tried to get away from the dog.

The incident easily could have ended in greater tragedy.

Meanwhile, in Buena Vista Township, police shot and killed two stray pit bulls after receiving a call from a resident that the animals had threatened her golden retriever.

According to the police report, Buena Vista Township police officers shot the animals after the dogs “moved in a threatening manner” toward police.

Those who oppose enacting any sort of restrictions on the animals point out that lots of dogs bite people. That’s true, but pit bulls, pit bull mixes and certain other breeds of dogs are most notorious for the worst attacks.

And while it’s true that abusive and neglectful owners contribute mightily to the problem, there have been incidents when these animals, as trusted family pets, have turned on their owners or their owners’ children.

The news is filled with such stories, year in and year out, and our area is no stranger to them.

That’s why we’ve supported Saginaw’s ordinance to require their owners to register the animals with the city for a one-time payment of $20 or face fines of up to $400.

Also, the ordinance forbids owners from mistreating the animals by tethering them outside for lengthy periods. Owners who do could face additional fines.

As they should. Animal breeds that already are predisposed to aggressive behavior are only made more likely to strike out if they are mistreated.

But restrictions in Saginaw only benefit that community and they could cause problems in surrounding areas.

For instance, Buena Vista Police Chief Brain Booker said he believes the dogs killed in his jurisdiction recently may have been dropped off by Saginaw owners in anticipation of the city’s ordinance.

Buena Vista Township already has a vicious dogs ordinance in place, which the township enacted after a brutal mauling there.

Best of all would be a statewide ban on the animals, or at least tough restrictions on ownership to ensure those who have these potentially lethal breeds handle them with care and the community’s safety in mind.

Unfortunately, earlier this month Rep. Hugh Crawford, R-Novi, made it clear that as chairman of the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee, he will not allow a bill aimed at banning pit bulls and several other breeds to be heard.

Rep. Timothy Bledsoe, D-Grosse Pointe, introduced the bill, H.B. 4714, which would be phased in over a decade.

The bill might be overly broad in its present form, but the state needs to take up the matter and hash out something so that individual communities don’t have to go at it piecemeal, potentially pushing the problem from one jurisdiction to another.

Crawford contends that people are the problem, not the kinds of animals they own. We agree to a certain extent, but the majority of the most severe maulings and killings in this state can be pinned on a handful of breeds.

If owners aren’t willing to act responsibly, the state has a duty to step in and ensure the safety of its citizens.

We’re at that point. We were at that point even before these most recent incidents.